wall street suffered its worst week of the year and troops in afghanistan were told they might not get paid. >> the country is in crisis. this is not a time for politics as usual. >> but for the first time in weeks, there was real optimism, a deal may get done. >> i'm confident and optimistic that we're going to get an agreement in the very near future and resolve this crisis in the best interests of the american people. >> schieffer: mcconnell should know he's the top senate negotiator on the republican side. and he'll join us this morning along with a top democratic leader, senator chuck schumer. it's all ahead on "face the nation." captioning sponsored by cbs "face the nation" with cbs news chief washington correspondent bob schieffer. and now from cbs news in washington, bob schieffer. >> schieffer: and good morning again and welcome to "face the nation." well, here's what it looks like is taking shape, a deal that would extend the debt limit through 2012 and would cut up to $3 trillion in spending over the next ten years. first wave of cuts would total $1 trillion and a bipartisan